thedrifter
08-30-06, 06:26 AM
Marine's wake planned for next week
VIN MORAN vmoran@ctpost.com
Connecticut Post Online
MILFORD — The body of 21-year-old Marine Cpl. Jordan Pierson could be returned to his family from the battlefields of Iraq as early as Friday, Mayor James L. Richetelli said, with funeral arrangements planned for the following week.
Early plans include a wake at Cody-White Funeral Home on Sunday and a funeral service at Calvary Church in Trumbull Monday. Pierson could be buried in Arlington National Cemetery Wednesday, the mayor said.
"Police Chief [Keith] Mello and Lt. Timothy Connor are our contacts with the Marine Corps, and there are standard procedures for handling these things," Richetelli said, speaking on behalf of the Pierson family, who has asked that the media respect their privacy as they mourn.
"We are trying to get those details hammered out and we do know that we will be escorting the family to whatever airport Jordan's body comes into and bring them home to Milford," he said.
Pierson, a 2003 graduate of Foran High School, was killed in action Friday near the city of Fallujah when he was struck in the shoulder by small arms fire while on a foot patrol, according to the Marines. He was nearing the end of his tour of duty and scheduled to return home in roughly 60 days before the deadly insurgent attack.
He was awarded the Purple Heart after he and another Marine were hit earlier this year with shrapnel from a grenade that exploded near them. He returned to combat last spring.
The mayor said Mello and Fire Chief Louis LaVecchia, who were at Monday's news conference at the Pierson home, have sons in the military. Mello's son is a Marine serving in Iraq and LaVecchia's son will be headed there soon, the mayor said.
The Pierson family is staying strong because of their faith, Richetelli said.
"The family is doing as well as can be expected," he said. "Faith is really carrying them right now."
Dave McIntyre, pastor of Calvary Church, said the family is relying on the values of country, family, faith and community to get through the ordeal.
"The family has been thrust into this spotlight. They were looking forward to their son coming home," he said. "[They are] grateful for the love that has been coming from many corners." Those who worked with Pierson said he grew up almost overnight after deciding to join the Marines. "He grew up right in front of me," said Bob Kylie, manager of Hacienda Storage on Old Gate Lane, where Pierson worked for three years. Scott Zakos, who worked part time with Pierson, said, "He went from being a high school kid to being a man." Another aspect of Pierson's character was how much he looked out for his younger brother, 11-year-old Ethan, Kylie said, adding: "He was just very aware that he was a big brother and that Ethan looked up to him."
Pierson stayed in touch with his Hacienda co-workers while he was overseas. He had exchanged instant messages with Zakos two weeks ago about coming home and grabbing a drink together, Zakos said.
Kylie said that after Pierson was injured by grenade shrapnel earlier this year, the two exchanged e-mails.
"It was pretty funny how he just blew that right off and went on with the next thing like, 'I'm back to work,' " Kylie said.
Zakos said Pierson was dedicated to serving his country. He recalled how Pierson showed up at a family party in full-dress uniform after returning from Marine basic training at Parris Island, S.C. "It showed how proud he was," Zakos said. "It was neat."
In an emotional news conference at the family's home on Monday, Eric and Beverly Pierson said their son was dedicated to the Marines and the mission he was pursuing in Iraq. He enlisted in the military in the fall of 2005, choosing to put his education on hold so he could fight for his country. He had initially enrolled at the University of Connecticut's Avery Point campus in Groton for the fall semester of 2003. The following year he transferred to the Storrs campus and lived in the Charter Oak Suites and Colt Hall campus dormitories, school officials said.
Ellie
VIN MORAN vmoran@ctpost.com
Connecticut Post Online
MILFORD — The body of 21-year-old Marine Cpl. Jordan Pierson could be returned to his family from the battlefields of Iraq as early as Friday, Mayor James L. Richetelli said, with funeral arrangements planned for the following week.
Early plans include a wake at Cody-White Funeral Home on Sunday and a funeral service at Calvary Church in Trumbull Monday. Pierson could be buried in Arlington National Cemetery Wednesday, the mayor said.
"Police Chief [Keith] Mello and Lt. Timothy Connor are our contacts with the Marine Corps, and there are standard procedures for handling these things," Richetelli said, speaking on behalf of the Pierson family, who has asked that the media respect their privacy as they mourn.
"We are trying to get those details hammered out and we do know that we will be escorting the family to whatever airport Jordan's body comes into and bring them home to Milford," he said.
Pierson, a 2003 graduate of Foran High School, was killed in action Friday near the city of Fallujah when he was struck in the shoulder by small arms fire while on a foot patrol, according to the Marines. He was nearing the end of his tour of duty and scheduled to return home in roughly 60 days before the deadly insurgent attack.
He was awarded the Purple Heart after he and another Marine were hit earlier this year with shrapnel from a grenade that exploded near them. He returned to combat last spring.
The mayor said Mello and Fire Chief Louis LaVecchia, who were at Monday's news conference at the Pierson home, have sons in the military. Mello's son is a Marine serving in Iraq and LaVecchia's son will be headed there soon, the mayor said.
The Pierson family is staying strong because of their faith, Richetelli said.
"The family is doing as well as can be expected," he said. "Faith is really carrying them right now."
Dave McIntyre, pastor of Calvary Church, said the family is relying on the values of country, family, faith and community to get through the ordeal.
"The family has been thrust into this spotlight. They were looking forward to their son coming home," he said. "[They are] grateful for the love that has been coming from many corners." Those who worked with Pierson said he grew up almost overnight after deciding to join the Marines. "He grew up right in front of me," said Bob Kylie, manager of Hacienda Storage on Old Gate Lane, where Pierson worked for three years. Scott Zakos, who worked part time with Pierson, said, "He went from being a high school kid to being a man." Another aspect of Pierson's character was how much he looked out for his younger brother, 11-year-old Ethan, Kylie said, adding: "He was just very aware that he was a big brother and that Ethan looked up to him."
Pierson stayed in touch with his Hacienda co-workers while he was overseas. He had exchanged instant messages with Zakos two weeks ago about coming home and grabbing a drink together, Zakos said.
Kylie said that after Pierson was injured by grenade shrapnel earlier this year, the two exchanged e-mails.
"It was pretty funny how he just blew that right off and went on with the next thing like, 'I'm back to work,' " Kylie said.
Zakos said Pierson was dedicated to serving his country. He recalled how Pierson showed up at a family party in full-dress uniform after returning from Marine basic training at Parris Island, S.C. "It showed how proud he was," Zakos said. "It was neat."
In an emotional news conference at the family's home on Monday, Eric and Beverly Pierson said their son was dedicated to the Marines and the mission he was pursuing in Iraq. He enlisted in the military in the fall of 2005, choosing to put his education on hold so he could fight for his country. He had initially enrolled at the University of Connecticut's Avery Point campus in Groton for the fall semester of 2003. The following year he transferred to the Storrs campus and lived in the Charter Oak Suites and Colt Hall campus dormitories, school officials said.
Ellie